Eaglets get plaudits from Keshi

Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi, has praised the Golden Eaglets for emerging champions at the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the UAE.

Keshi told supersport.com that the under-17s deserve commendation for the manner with which they emerged world champions.

“I’m very impressed with the boys. It is a big achievement in their careers winning the Under-17 World Cup. They showed every ingredient to become champions and that’s why they deserve commendation,” said the Nigerian trainer.

The former Mali and Togo manager, however refused to single out any particular player for individual praise.

Keshi rather believes Manu Garba’s team played as a unit.

“At this level of football you don’t want to single out one player over another. Yes if we say the midfielders or strikers did so well, we need to also remember that there are the goalkeeper and defenders who also kept their discipline to make sure the team didn’t concede during delicate periods in some of their matches.

“So you’ll now understand that football is a team sport. I agree that a number of players distinguished themselves ahead of the others but we really cannot overlook the contribution of the others in the team,” said Keshi to supersport.com.

After being prodded further on Kelechi Iheanacho, the tournament’s most valuable player, Keshi believes the Taye Football Academy attacking midfielder has the potentials to become a top player in future if properly managed.

“He (Iheanacho) is a very talented player and we saw that during the games he played. But he must be properly managed as he grows through the ranks. His development should be the key factor in his career as well as that of others in the team,” said the Nigerian coach.

Asked if he will consider any of the Golden Eaglets players for the Super Eagles in future, Keshi told supersport.com he will rather keep tabs on the development of the players.

“We will see how that unfolds. But like I said my concern is to see the boys develop into top players as they have the potentials. I will be monitoring them as much as I can to know how they develop though I have learnt that one of them has signed for a club in Europe.

But let’s see what happens,” said Keshi.

Nigeria emerged champions of the Under-17 World Cup for the fourth time after defeating Mexico 3-0 in Abu Dhabi on Friday.